Ethan Albarado stood alone at center court.
His hands rested on his hips. His breathing was deep but steady. Sweat dripped down his temple, soaking the ends of his yellow-blonde hair. He looked at the scoreboard once more, then slowly closed his eyes.
(Not perfect… but I saw the window. I just kept prying it open until it cracked.)
Around him, his teammates were slumped on the bench, laughing, crying, or just breathing. Victory didn't always look like celebration. Sometimes, it looked like exhaustion.
Louie Davas had both fists raised high, as if holding up the sky.
Evan Cooper lay flat on the gym floor, his chest rising and falling like a balloon.
Brandon Young was getting checked by the team trainer, while still grinning like a kid on Christmas morning.
Ryan and Aiden sat side by side, talking in quiet tones, sharing the same stunned look like they still didn't fully believe what just happened.
